Digital kiosks and inclusivity

Authors Lluis Martinez, Kelt Garritsen, Jelten Baguet, Anna Grigolon, Karla Münzel, Imre Keserü, Karst Geurs
Published in European Transport Research Review
Publication date 2024
Type Article

Summary

Mobility hubs facilitate multimodal transport and have the potential to improve the accessibility and usability of new mobility services. However, in the context of increasing digitalisation, using mobility hubs requires digital literacy or even owning a smartphone. This constraint may result in the exclusion of current and potential users. Digital kiosks might prove to be a solution, as they can facilitate the use of the services found at mobility hubs. Nevertheless, knowledge of how digital kiosks may improve the experience of disadvantaged groups remains limited in the literature. As part of the SmartHubs project, a field test with a digital kiosk was conducted with 105 participants in Brussels (Belgium) and Rotterdam (The Netherlands) to investigate the intention to use it and its usability in the context of mobility hubs. This study adopted a mixed methods approach, combining participant observation and questionnaire surveys. Firstly, participants were asked to accomplish seven tasks with the digital kiosk while being observed by the researchers. Finally, assisted questionnaire surveys were conducted with the same participants, including close-ended, open-ended and socio-demographic questions. The results offer insights into the experience of the users of a digital kiosk in a mobility hub and the differences across specific social groups. These findings may be relevant for decision-makers and practitioners working in urban mobility on subjects such as mobility hubs and shared mobility, and for user interface developers concerned with the inclusivity of digital kiosks.

On this publication contributed

  • Karla Munzel
    Karla Münzel
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Process Innovation and Information Systems

Language English
Published in European Transport Research Review
Year and volume 16 53 (2024)
Key words digital kiosks, mobility hubs, shared mobility, inclusive transport, transport equity, digital mobility services
Digital Object Identifier 10.1186/s12544-024-00676-8

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